Aussie Racing Cars

History

Initially, the cars were based on caricatures of 1940 Ford Coupe and FJ Holden body styles. In 2007, a new era of Aussie Race Car emerged with the design and launch of the Toyota Aurion bodied Aussie Race Car. This new car extended the wheelbase and track on the first generation cars improving performance significantly. Respected design engineer Russell Mapplebeck led the engineering project alongside James Ward and Blake Hammond. The process to design and build the first "New Age" Aussie Race Car paved the way for future body models, also designed by Mapplebeck, based on the Mercedes-Benz, Holden Cruze, and later the Camaro and Mustang.

The category contests an annual Aussie Racing Car Series which is approved by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport as a National Series. Over its 20-year history the category has supported the biggest motorsports events in Australia including the Adelaide 500, Gold Coast Indy 300, F1 Australian Grand Prix and Bathurst 1000.

The Hampton Downs round of the 2016 season hosted the inaugural Trans-Tasman Women's Challenge. Charlotte Poynting was chosen to represent Team Australian, and was up against Alyssa Clapperton of Team New Zealand. In Race 3 Poynting, who started 9th on the grid, raced through the field to win by 2.5 seconds, becoming the first ever woman to win a race in the Aussie Racing Cars category.

Cars

The Aussie Racing Car combines current racing technology and performance in a one-design class where all cars are mechanically identical with strict rules in place to maintain that position. Various body styles are permitted. Originally only 1940 Ford Coupé and Holden FJ body styles were available, with Ford AU Falcon and Holden VY Commodore styles, which replicate V8 Supercars, later made available. A Toyota Aurion body shape was launched in 2008, followed by a Holden Cruze in 2012 and a Mercedes-Benz inspired "Euro GT" in 2013. Nissan Altima, Ford Mustang, and Chevrolet Camaro were added in 2014.

Cars are constructed on a purpose-built steel tubular space frame chassis with integral roll cage construction designed and approved to stringent engineering specifications. The lightweight composite body is a designed caricature of its full-size counterpart featuring opening doors, boot and lift off front section. Powered by a 1.3L 125 bhp twin cam 16 valve engine sourced second-hand from used Yamaha FJR1300 motorcycles that revs to 11500 rpm. The 515 kg all up weight provides a high power-to-weight ratio that allows the car to reach speeds in excess of 200 km/h. Lap times achieved at Oran Park Raceway are within six seconds of a V8 Supercar. They feature fully adjustable suspension geometry, performance brakes and controlled competition tyres that produce high grip levels. All cars are hand built in the ARC facility and supplied ready to race.

The cockpit layout is purpose built and fitted with a five-point racing harness. The steering requires only one turn lock-to-lock and minimal steering movement during racing. The sequential gear lever is close to the steering wheel and the carbon fibre dash displays the necessary instrumentation. The chassis design incorporates simplicity in suspension adjustment to cater for all drivers' preferences including castor/camber, sway bar, roll centre and ride height etc. Brakes have front to rear bias adjustment.

Series winners

• Italics: 2020 and 2021 are unofficial, as no official championship was awarded because of an insufficient number of rounds held because of pandemic restrictions. Only the Bathurst 12 Hour round of three races was held in 2020, and only three of a planned six rounds (nine races conducted) were held in 2021. Drivers listed led points at curtailment of seasons.

Circuits

• South Australia Adelaide Street Circuit (2004–2007, 2009–2014, 2016–2017, 2019, 2025)
• VIC Albert Park Circuit (2007–2009)
• Tasmania Baskerville Raceway (2006, 2018)
• NZL Hampton Downs Motorsport Park (2016)
• Northern Territory Hidden Valley Raceway (2006, 2010, 2015–2016, 2019, 2023)
• NZL Highlands Motorsport Park (2015, 2023)
• NSW Homebush Street Circuit (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015)
• QLD Morgan Park Raceway (2010)
• NSW Mount Panorama Circuit (2006–2007, 2011–2012, 2014–2015, 2020–2022, 2024, 2026)
• NSW Newcastle Street Circuit (2017, 2019, 2023)
• NSW One Raceway (2003, 2005, 2008, 2022)
• NSW Oran Park Raceway (2001–2009)
• VIC Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit (2010–2012, 2014–2016, 2018, 2024)
• QLD Queensland Raceway (2002–2005, 2010–2011, 2013–2014, 2016, 2018–2019, 2023–2024, 2026)
• QLD Reid Park Street Circuit (2012, 2017, 2023–2024, 2026)
• VIC Sandown Raceway (2003–2007, 2022, 2025)
• QLD Surfers Paradise Street Circuit (2005–2009, 2012–2014, 2017–2019, 2024–present)
• NSW Sydney Motorsport Park (2003–2005, 2007–2010, 2012, 2015–2018, 2021–2022, 2025)
• Tasmania Symmons Plains Raceway (2005, 2008, 2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2019, 2021–present)
• South Australia The Bend Motorsport Park (2018–2019, 2022, 2025–present)
• Western Australia Wanneroo Raceway (2014, 2017, 2024–2025)
• VIC Winton Motor Raceway (2001–2004, 2008–2009, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2022)

References

References

1. McCarthy, Dan. (27 January 2021). "New Aussie Racing Cars Title Sponsor". Action Media Partners.
2. CAMS Bulletin B10/039 "2020 Aussie Racing Car Series" Sporting & Technical Regulations.
3. [http://www.aussieracingcars.com.au/about/toyota-aurion.html Toyota joins Aussie Racing Cars Super Series, 3 May 2008, www.aussieracingcars.com.au] {{webarchive. link. (22 October 2013 Retrieved on 14 November 2013)
4. (12 September 2012). "Holden enters Aussie Racing Cars with Cruze".
5. [http://aussieracingcars.com.au/news/603-euro-gt-launch.html ARC 'Euro GT' Launched, 31 May 2013, www.aussieracingcars.com.au] {{webarchive. link. (3 March 2014 Retrieved on 14 November 2013)
6. [http://www.nissan.com.au/Discover/News/2014/June/06/NISSAN-ALTIMA-ON-TRACK-IN-AUSSIE-RACING-CARS ''Nissan Altima on track in Aussie Racing Cars'', www.nissan.com.au] {{webarchive. link. (26 March 2016 Retrieved 20 June 2015)
7. [http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/10/08/mustang-camaro-join-aussie-racing-cars/ Stefan Bartholomaeus, ''Mustang and Camaro join Aussie Racing Cars'', Wednesday 8 October 2014, www.speedcafe.com] {{webarchive. link. (21 February 2016 Retrieved 20 June 2015)
8. [[Hyundai Elantra]] debuted during the 2015 series.[http://www.speedcafe.com/2015/06/05/james-hunts-son-to-race-in-aussie-racing-cars/ ''James Hunt’s son to debut new Aussie Racing Car'', www.speedcafe.com] {{webarchive. link. (22 February 2016 Retrieved 20 June 2015)
9. "Aussie Racing Cars - About The Cars".
10. "2013 Aussie Racing Cars Super Series Point Score, aussieracingcars.com.au, as archived at web.archive.org".
11. "Round 1 Bathurst 12Hr Race Reports".
12. "2020 Results Tables".
13. "2021 Results Tables".
14. (6 November 2023). "Heinrich Secures Aussue Racing Cars Title".
15. OBrien, Garry. (2024-10-27). "Heinrich wins the 2024 Aussie Racing Cars championship in Surfers".